superchip/warranty?
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Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Lake Forest, CA, USA
superchip/warranty?
I have a 6" suspension lift on my truck. I know this voids the warranty for the parts replaced with aftermarket. The other night i was on a dirt trail, not really slowing down for bumps and stuff since i figured between my lift and big tires there shouldnt be a problem. I never bottomed out or hit anything that i know of. About 45 minutes after being on this road i noticed my transmission was reving really high before shifting into first. Then when i got home i looked underneath my truck and there was red fluid all over the place. (Im guessing transmission fluid) I want to take my truck in but i dont want them to give me crap about having a chip. Can they try to void my warranty because of the Superchip? If so then please let me know so i can find the original piece that plugs into the spot where the superchip is now. Thanks for your help.
2000 5.4l reg cab
2000 5.4l reg cab
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Joined: Mar 1998
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From: Virginia
Hi Ryshark,
Yes, that red fluid is automatic transmission fluid. You might want to check to see if you see any obvious source of the leak, like a broken transmission fluid line, which can easily happen when you're offroading it, etc, and then fill it up with transmission fluid after checking the level of course if you see an obvious source of leak that you can fix yourself. And if you don't find anything you can handle yourself, you might want to have it towed in instead of driving it anymore, just to avoid the potential of doing any more damage.
The Superchip obviously cannot have anything to do with the transmission blowing fluid all over like that, so I don't think that is going to be a concern. However, we do always suggest removing them prior to service just from the P0605 error code that will result in the SBDS system if they do a diagnostic scan with the Superchip attached, and of course, it's supposed to do that, as the computer's internal eprom chip is turned off anytime you have a performance chip installed on a Ford computer, and it instantly goes away as soon as you remove the chip, as that circuit basically acts like an on/off switch for the internal eprom. So yes, I would pull it, just so you don't have to try and explain all that.
To answer your question directly, you are protected by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which basically says in order to legally deny a warranty claim, the automaker must first prove that the aftermarket part in question was the sole cause of a related parts failure, and they must further prove that had the aftermarket part not been installed, the related part(s) would not have failed. Here is a link to give you a bit more info on this: http://www.sema.org/fedleg/warranty
If you didn't save that little tab that goes on the back of the computer when you installed your Superchip, you can use one from almost any other Ford computer, almost all of them have those plastic tabs like that on the back, a few are metal, but most are the plastic snap-out tabs.
Personally, I suggest that you remove the Superchip prior to service, just because of the P0605 error code during diagnostics, etc., so you don't have to try and explain all that to them, as they don't know how that circuit works unless they have used performance chips on their personal vehicles usually.
Do let us know what they find when you get it up on the lift, & of course best of luck with this repair Ryshark! We'll keep our fingers crossed for you. Hopefully it's just a leak and the odd behavior was due to low fluid, as they can act like that when they don't have enough fluid.
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer
Yes, that red fluid is automatic transmission fluid. You might want to check to see if you see any obvious source of the leak, like a broken transmission fluid line, which can easily happen when you're offroading it, etc, and then fill it up with transmission fluid after checking the level of course if you see an obvious source of leak that you can fix yourself. And if you don't find anything you can handle yourself, you might want to have it towed in instead of driving it anymore, just to avoid the potential of doing any more damage.
The Superchip obviously cannot have anything to do with the transmission blowing fluid all over like that, so I don't think that is going to be a concern. However, we do always suggest removing them prior to service just from the P0605 error code that will result in the SBDS system if they do a diagnostic scan with the Superchip attached, and of course, it's supposed to do that, as the computer's internal eprom chip is turned off anytime you have a performance chip installed on a Ford computer, and it instantly goes away as soon as you remove the chip, as that circuit basically acts like an on/off switch for the internal eprom. So yes, I would pull it, just so you don't have to try and explain all that.
To answer your question directly, you are protected by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which basically says in order to legally deny a warranty claim, the automaker must first prove that the aftermarket part in question was the sole cause of a related parts failure, and they must further prove that had the aftermarket part not been installed, the related part(s) would not have failed. Here is a link to give you a bit more info on this: http://www.sema.org/fedleg/warranty
If you didn't save that little tab that goes on the back of the computer when you installed your Superchip, you can use one from almost any other Ford computer, almost all of them have those plastic tabs like that on the back, a few are metal, but most are the plastic snap-out tabs.
Personally, I suggest that you remove the Superchip prior to service, just because of the P0605 error code during diagnostics, etc., so you don't have to try and explain all that to them, as they don't know how that circuit works unless they have used performance chips on their personal vehicles usually.
Do let us know what they find when you get it up on the lift, & of course best of luck with this repair Ryshark! We'll keep our fingers crossed for you. Hopefully it's just a leak and the odd behavior was due to low fluid, as they can act like that when they don't have enough fluid.
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer
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Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Lake Forest, CA, USA
Thanks for your advice Mike. I hope it is just a leak. It got worse as time went on, so thats what i think it is. As time went on there was less and less fluid. Plus there was even fluid that shot up to the inside of my hood. As for the plastic piece that plugs into my computer. Do i have to have it? Can i just unplug the Superchip and then when i get my truck back, plug it back in without ever putting the other plastic piece in there? Do i have to do anything with the battery when i unplug or replug my chip? Thanks again
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From: Virginia
Hi Ryshark,
No, you don't have to have that piece, it's just a good idea to keep in in the glovebox after installing the Superchip, but it's not a necessity. Yes, you can just plug the Superhicp back in.
Doing the battery disconnect is a technique for clearing the computer's memory and getting a complete fresh program load, so you can see back-to-back the difference either with or without the Superchip. If you don't do that, then for the next 50-100 miles or so, you have the previous program sitting there in memory being slowly overwritten as the new program instructions execute, so you get a gradual change instead. Whenever you install the Superchip, it's always a good idea to use our procedure, which is: disconnect the battery, then turn the headlights on for 5 full minutes. Then turn the lights back off, re-connect the battery, & you're all set!
Good luck!
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer
No, you don't have to have that piece, it's just a good idea to keep in in the glovebox after installing the Superchip, but it's not a necessity. Yes, you can just plug the Superhicp back in.
Doing the battery disconnect is a technique for clearing the computer's memory and getting a complete fresh program load, so you can see back-to-back the difference either with or without the Superchip. If you don't do that, then for the next 50-100 miles or so, you have the previous program sitting there in memory being slowly overwritten as the new program instructions execute, so you get a gradual change instead. Whenever you install the Superchip, it's always a good idea to use our procedure, which is: disconnect the battery, then turn the headlights on for 5 full minutes. Then turn the lights back off, re-connect the battery, & you're all set!
Good luck!
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer
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Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Lake Forest, CA, USA
Mike, after i talked to you i took the chip out and the tow truck driver picked up my truck. Less than 3 hours later i got a call from the dealer saying my truck was ready. It was just a leak in one of the hoses. So i was really happy to hear that. It cost me $0.00 for the tow and to get it fixed. Man ill tell you, the best way to feel your chip is to take it out and you can easily notice what your missing. When i got my truck back the tranny was still acting a little funny. I check the fluid and it was low, i guess they forgot to fill it back up. Everything feels fine now and im anxious to put the chip back in and get my gains again. One question. Do i install the chip before or after i do the whole headlight thing? Or does it even matter? Thanks again Mike
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Joined: Mar 1998
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From: Virginia
Hi Ryshark,
Ok that's fantastic & thanks for letting us know. Wow, did you ever get lucky, excellent! Just a hose and a little tranny fluid, that's nothing.
As far as when you put the Superchip back in, just re-install it with the battery disconnected. Once you have it back in, re-connect the battery and start the engine to test and make sure it's OK with the chip re-installed. Then disconnect the battery again, and turn the headlights on for 5 minutes to drain all residual voltage from the system. Then turn the lights back off, re-connect the battery, and away you go! That will clear the computer and allow a complete fresh program load, so you can feel the effects of the Superchip again right away. I know after having the Superchip it's no fun to drive without it, so I'm glad to hear this was a simple & minor problem that was quickly resolved. I'm *very* glad that you didn't drive it, but had it towed in instead, so no transmission damage could occur from driving it like that, smart move! Silly that they didn't even check the fluid level and gave it back to you low like that, but all in all, this was minor, good for you!
Merry Christmas,
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer
[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 12-21-2000).]
Ok that's fantastic & thanks for letting us know. Wow, did you ever get lucky, excellent!
Just a hose and a little tranny fluid, that's nothing.As far as when you put the Superchip back in, just re-install it with the battery disconnected. Once you have it back in, re-connect the battery and start the engine to test and make sure it's OK with the chip re-installed. Then disconnect the battery again, and turn the headlights on for 5 minutes to drain all residual voltage from the system. Then turn the lights back off, re-connect the battery, and away you go! That will clear the computer and allow a complete fresh program load, so you can feel the effects of the Superchip again right away. I know after having the Superchip it's no fun to drive without it, so I'm glad to hear this was a simple & minor problem that was quickly resolved. I'm *very* glad that you didn't drive it, but had it towed in instead, so no transmission damage could occur from driving it like that, smart move! Silly that they didn't even check the fluid level and gave it back to you low like that, but all in all, this was minor, good for you!
Merry Christmas,
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer
[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 12-21-2000).]
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From: Lake Forest, CA, USA
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Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
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From: Virginia
Hi Ryshark,
Of course they don't.
You turn on the headlights with the battery disconnected to drain all residual power from the IC's & caps in the system, so you can get a complete fresh program load. There is nowhere near enough power left in the system to actually cause the lights to come on when you do this, but IC's & capacitors do store voltage, so this technique is used to drain that residual voltage from the system to allow a complete fresh program load, so you can feel the effects of the Superchip right away rather than have them come in gradually.
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer
Of course they don't.
You turn on the headlights with the battery disconnected to drain all residual power from the IC's & caps in the system, so you can get a complete fresh program load. There is nowhere near enough power left in the system to actually cause the lights to come on when you do this, but IC's & capacitors do store voltage, so this technique is used to drain that residual voltage from the system to allow a complete fresh program load, so you can feel the effects of the Superchip right away rather than have them come in gradually.
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer